Industry celebrates Paper Day across the country

The country hosted Paper Day with fervour and enthusiasm on 1 August. Various paper trader organisations across the country hosted special events in schools to spread awareness about paper among schoolchildren. 

On 1 August 1940, the Handmade Paper Institute started producing paper in Pune. Later, India’s apex paper body, the Federation of Paper Traders’ Associations of India (FPTA) declared this day as Paper Day. 

Jawaharlal Nehru, in a bid to revive and preserve the rich heritage of handmade papermaking in India, inaugurated the Handmade Paper Institute at Pune on 1 August 1940. The first copies of the Constitution of India were printed on paper manufactured at this institute. 

According to FPTA, Paper Day is all about spreading awareness about paper. 

Indore Paper Traders Association  

The Indore Paper Traders Association (IPTA) conducted an engaging awareness session at New Green Field Public School, a CBSE-affiliated institution, to dispel common myths surrounding paper. The session witnessed the enthusiastic participation of around 400 students from classes six, seven, and eight, along with their teachers. A structured presentation was delivered, supported by a series of informative videos that effectively highlighted the true environmental value of paper.

The session was highly interactive, with students actively participating and expressing surprise at the lesser-known facts shared. Teachers, too, found the content enlightening and described the session as an eye-opener. 

Paper Merchants Welfare Association, Andhra Pradesh 

The members of Paper Merchants Welfare Association, Andhra Pradesh, celebrated National Paper Day in 19 schools in 19 different districts of Andhra Pradesh and created awareness on paper and paper products usage, which is recyclable, biodegradable and sustainable. Around 7,000 students from various schools participated in the event.

Paper Merchants Association, Delhi 

A school in East Delhi became a stage on National Paper Day as local schoolchildren performed a spirited nukkad-naatak to spread awareness about paper’s role in a circular economy. Organised in collaboration with the Paper Merchant Association (PMA), the event brought together students, shopkeepers, residents, and industry stakeholders in an open-air campaign for sustainability. The street play depicted everyday scenes of paper wastage, from unused notebooks tossed aside to overprinted leaflets crumpled on the ground and takeaway cups piling up in bins. 

Addressing the gathering, managing director, PMA, said the Indian paper sector is on a strong growth trajectory but must ensure sustainability remains central to expansion. “Our industry has been growing at a healthy CAGR over the last few years, driven by packaging, education, and eCommerce. Unfortunately, growth means little if it’s not green. We must lead with recyclability, renewable sourcing, and innovations like barrier coatings that allow paper to replace single-use plastics in food and liquid packaging,” he said. 

He added that more than 75% of India’s paper is produced from recycled fibre and agricultural residues, with the remainder coming from responsibly managed plantations. “Paper is one of the most circular materials in the world. It’s renewable, biodegradable, and infinitely recyclable — if we do our part to collect and process it,” he said.

He noted that new technologies in barrier coatings are enabling paper to replace multi-layer plastic in foodservice and FMCG packaging. “It’s a game-changer. Barrier-coated paper can be recycled in the existing stream, unlike plastic-laminated boards that end up in landfills,” he said.

PMA officials stressed that such grassroots efforts complement industry-level sustainability initiatives, ensuring that the benefits of innovation reach both consumers and the environment. “Awareness is the first step,” they said. “If every household treats paper not as waste but as a resource, we can transform both our recycling rates and our environmental footprint. That’s the real promise of National Paper Day.”

On the occasion, celebrated at Bal Mandir Senior Secondary School, East Delhi, MLA Dr Anil Goyal and the principal of the school, Santosh Ahuja, gave the message of the importance of trees in environmental conservation by planting a tree in the school premises. After visiting the exhibition related to paper manufacturing in the school, Dr Anil Goyal appreciated that the efforts of the paper manufacturers to fulfil the supply of paper in the country by promoting the recycling of waste paper are commendable. 

Seshasayee Paper and Boards 

The Ramjas Public School Day Boarding celebrated International Paper Day with great enthusiasm, in collaboration with Seshasayee Paper and Boards. Various engaging activities were conducted to promote creativity and awareness about the importance of paper in our daily lives.

The celebration featured a range of competitions, including art and craft, drawing, and essay writing. Students from different classes participated with zeal, showcasing their talent and innovative ideas.

To acknowledge and encourage the efforts of the participants, certificates and trophies were awarded by representatives from Seshasayee Paper and Boards. The event proved to be both educational and inspiring, instilling in students a deeper appreciation for the role of paper in education and sustainability.

JMC Paper Tech 

In a social media message shared on 1 August, JMC Paper Tech said the company celebrates the incredible journey of paper—a humble yet powerful invention that continues to shape our lives, industries, and ideas. “At JMC Paper Tech, we have dedicated ourselves for decades to innovating, engineering, and delivering cutting-edge pulp and paper machinery that fuels sustainability and efficiency across the globe. Our commitment to the future of the paper industry is rooted in Make in India, circular economy principles, and technological advancement,” It said.

It added, “At Balaji JMC Paper Mill, we are building not just paper, but a new chapter in sustainable manufacturing. By producing high-performance kraft and packaging paper from recycled fibres, we aim to contribute to a greener planet — supporting global efforts to reduce plastic and promote eco-friendly packaging solutions.”

Panchsheel Packaging Solutions

In a social media message, Panchsheel Packaging Solutions said it believes sustainability isn't just a choice, it's a responsibility. “On this Paper Day, we reaffirm our commitment to providing eco-friendly, durable, and customisable paper bags that help brands reduce their environmental impact without compromising on quality.”